Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy reveals why Cameron Smith hasn’t announced his future plans
Storm coach Craig Bellamy insists he has no idea if Cameron Smith is gearing up for what could be his final game at Suncorp Stadium, but he does know why the NRL legend is keeping his plans to himself.
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Craig Bellamy admits he will be “emotional” when Cameron Smith’s glittering NRL career comes to an end, but insists he has no idea if the Melbourne Storm legend is gearing up for what could be his final game.
Smith will make his 429th and potentially final NRL appearance when the Storm take on Canberra in a grand final qualifier at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Smith, 37, is off-contract beyond this season and has given no public indication if he plans to play on or retire.
Storm officials privately believe Smith will walk away from the game this year and are preparing for the former Queensland Origin and Kangaroos captain to announce his retirement when Melbourne’s premiership campaign is officially over.
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That could be either on Friday night or after Sunday week’s grand final in Sydney if the Storm beat the Raiders.
Smith gave little away during what could have been his final training session on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday and Melbourne coach Bellamy said his captain’s future was still up in the air.
“We still don’t know what Cam’s doing, I said right at the start I’m not going to expect an answer from him until he’s ready to give an answer,” Bellamy said.
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“We would have liked to have made it a little bit more special if it is his last game but I promised him I wouldn’t put any heat on him and he had the right to make that decision when he wanted to.
“I pointed out to him the fact that if he’s going to retire or go to another club, hopefully not, then we’d like to send him out on a winning note. I haven’t heard anything about it since that conversation.
“It’s got to happen some day I suppose, although with him it could go on forever.
“I’ll sit back and think about it if that’s the case or next year. It’s going to be a little bit emotional I’d imagine.”
Smith was left embarrassed by the fanfare surrounding his historic 400th NRL appearance last year and Bellamy believes that is a factor in him not announcing his intentions for 2021.
“I think it’s more that to be quite honest,” Bellamy said of Smith’s humility.
“He’s not one of those guys that wants a lot of fanfare.
“He just wants to achieve what he sets out to achieve. He doesn’t need the accolades or fanfare.”
Smith’s family will be in the grandstands at Suncorp Stadium as the Storm attempt to reach their fourth grand final in five years.
His Brisbane-based father Wayne Smith believes this could be his son’s final appearance at Suncorp, a venue Smith has enjoyed immense success at in Storm, Queensland and Kangaroos colours.
“We will all be there for the game, all Cam’s nieces and nephews and (wife) Barb’s family will be there as well,” Wayne said.
“Suncorp has great memories for Cam. We will never forget the night he made his debut for Queensland there (2003).
“It really is like a home ground for him. He has always loved playing there, it really brings out the best in him as a footballer.
“I wouldn’t like Cam to damage his legacy. Whatever he decides is his call. He has been astute with his decisions to date so I’ll trust him to make the final call.
“He doesn’t owe Melbourne anything, he has repaid them over and over, but they did give him the opportunity and he hasn’t forgotten that.
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“Mentally and physically, he feels he can play on next year, but he is weighing up other factors.”
The Storm enjoyed a bye after beating Parramatta in week one of the finals and Bellamy said his side had to improve its defence to topple the Raiders, who are searching for back-to-back grand final appearances.
“The last couple of games we haven’t defended as well as we did earlier in the year, that’s an area we need to be better,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of tough circumstances throughout this year. I’m really proud of them. I know they’re really keen to go another week.”
Originally published as Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy reveals why Cameron Smith hasn’t announced his future plans